Reefs are aglow with fluorescence!

Reefkeepers have long known what fluorescence looks like, and we all know how to solicit fluorescence from our corals. Shine blue or actinic light on our reef tanks, and we are treated to one of nature's most beautiful and psychedelic displays known to man. Now, a team of divers captures fluorescence in Fiji.

The fluorescence of what appears to be a Plate Coral (possibly Fungia sp). (c) Keith Ellenbogen

What is fluorescence?

Fluorescence is a process whereby a matter of energy is absorbed by a substance, and then released by that substance with less energy. In this case a light source of high energy (lets say blue light) is absorbed by a substance (a coral) and then released with less energy (i.e. green light or red light).

Dana Riddle writes what may be the most comprehensive series of articles on coral coloration & fluorescence:

Fluorescence in Fiji

This summer, a team of scientists set out to Fiji to capture the amazing fluorescence of marine life in the wild using blue lights and special filters. Here are some of the photos they reported back via National Geographic.

Special underwater photography equipment is used to capture fluorescence. (c) Keith Ellenbogen